Local financial services regulator the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has warned Zimbabweans of the risks associated with Bitcoin.

At the Mobile Money & Digital Payments Conference, Josephat Mutepfa, the RBZ’s Director of National Payments pointed out that while cryptocurrencies might be a global phenomenon and there might be a number of Bitcoin initiatives that now offer specific services in Zimbabwe, the central bank hasn’t devised regulation for cryptocurrency.

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As such, citizens who use it could be exposed to risks associated with untraceable transactions. Bitcoin, one of the most popular examples of blockchain technology provides holders with a virtual currency alternative and some startups have been offering services through Bitcoin.

Examples include Bitmari, a service that facilitates remittances to Zimbabwe in the form of Bitcoin.

Citing cases of collapsed Bitcoin exchanges, Mutepfa emphasised how the regulator’s stance was influenced by the need for a cautionary approach, especially with the risks associated with Bitcoin as unregulated alternative.

Fair enough. But it would have been nice if they had backed up the warning with Zim or region specific data on the impact of those collapses and bitcoin in general. That way, it wouldn’t seem like they got caught napping by the existence of crypto currencies.

One of the things that people love about Bitcoin is the Un-tractability – RBZ wants to start thinking about BITCOIN, a cryptocurrency something that is less that 7 years old and built on tech they can barely understand, when they can manage a currency they have had and controlled for 28YEARS –

As usual Mutepfa and team RBZ are behind the trend. Should people stop using crypto-currency because Zim is not ready or should they hit the ground running trying to create the necessary safeguards. Its the same disease that killed Paypal here.

I work for one of the few bitcoin startups in Zim. The good thing is that there’s no prohibition and there’s going to be no regulation for a while. As a startup, that’s good news for us – a space that’s unregulated, unprohibited and won’t be regulated for a while is the entrepreneur’s sweet spot.

I do agree though with the regulator that people should be cautionary. Let’s not forget that bitcoin is a huge experiment which may or may not fail. I’m a big believer myself, but I also understand the risks. Although I’ve invested more time and money into bitcoin than i could afford to lose, i wouldn’t advise anyone to invest i more in bitcoin than they can afford to lose.

Well what on earth were the RBZ waiting for. They should have at least been pro-active and started looking at this ages ago. If Zimbabweans are already into Bitcoin startups like my brother Tawanda above then the Central Bank of all people, should have already been on the ball. at the very least asking the question: “What regulation do we need (if any) for new area of business?”
Its not like they are overloaded with work. We don’t have our own currency so their money supply control responsibility is at a standstill. Now they are looking at designs for a new stable when the stallion has jumped the fence and is mounting the neighbours horse two houses down the road. (Ummm…did I carry this metaphor too far???)
I also agree that we have to be careful with any internet transactions AND currencies. But this is my point – they should be watching trends, learning then educating us.

Bitcoin is the future currency and blockchain the future banks.Bitcoin is becoming increasingly popular. I am also working on a bitcoin startup that is coming out soon.bitcoin provides entrepreneurial opportunities despite its fluctuating nature in price

Authorities should realize that the new global economy I here to stay. Whether you was to remain in the Jurassic Age or embrace the trends. The need to control is not of this age. Regrettably, fossils will never realize this even if it slapped them in the face.